touches off

verb

present tense third-person singular of touch off
as in triggers
to cause to function his obscene comment touched off a heated debate about the need for censorship on live broadcasts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of touches off The Bengals then lined up for a desperation onside kick and, thanks to the slightest of touches off a Bears player’s foot, managed to recover the ball to get possession back. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches off
  1. triggers
  2. activates
  3. sparks
  4. drives
  5. powers
  6. sets off
  7. moves
Verb
  • Chronic stress triggers elevated levels of the hormone cortisol, which can impair memory.
    — Zia Sherrell, Health, 7 July 2026
  • The biggest misstep newcomers make is treating a corporate event like a live resume drop—pitching their skills or collecting business cards like trophies, which immediately triggers executive fatigue.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of triggers
Verb
  • Rucking activates the upper trapezius, shoulders, upper back, abdominals, obliques and lower back, according to trainers and coaches who specialize in the method.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
  • Scent activates pathways that trigger emotional and memory responses.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of activates
Verb
  • And a red card against an American soccer star sparks debate.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • This trend, however, sparks concerns about a looming leadership crisis.
    — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of sparks
Verb
  • By stripping out parts and, crucially, reducing the number of unique parts, the company shortens manufacturing time, raises reliability, and drives down cost, all at once.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Fire shelters are mandatory equipment for crews who work across rugged terrain where things can change at a moment’s notice, especially when extremely dry and windy weather drives the flames, as happened last Saturday.
    — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of drives
Verb
  • Researchers are adapting the magnetron—the same component that powers microwave ovens—to provide the 10 megawatts of power required for ADS.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Feb. 2026
  • How Wisconsin's solar battery park powers 130,000 homes The Paris Solar farm began producing power in December 2024 and generates 200 megawatts of renewable electricity during the day.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of powers
Verb
  • Jessie, with the help of Woody and Buzz, sets off to help Bonnie make some real-world friends.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • After a period devoted to motherhood, Agus sets off for a long yearned-for trip to Japan with dear friend Loly.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of sets off
Verb
  • The moody Moon moves through your 7th House of Partnership as the Sun energizes your 11th House of Friends and Community, aligning cooperation with a larger purpose.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • Trainer Robert Ndungu moves between them, occasionally kneeling to demonstrate the correct technique.
    — Christopher Clark, NPR, 5 July 2026
Definition of moves

Browse Nearby Words

touches down
touches off
touches (on)
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Cite this Entry

“Touches off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches%20off. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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